Blohm & Voss BV 144
| BV 144 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Airliner |
| Manufacturer | Blohm & Voss |
| First flight | August, 1944 |
| Primary user | Luftwaffe French Air Force |
| Produced | Société Anonyme des Ateliers d'Aviation Louis Breguet |
| Number built | One prototype |
The Blohm & Voss BV 144 was an attempt by Germany in World War II, to develop an advanced commercial airliner for post-war service. Due to the changing course of the war, the project was abandoned and only a single example was built.
Development
In 1940, Blohm & Voss, at the request of Deutsche Lufthansa, designed the BV 144 as a short to medium range airliner. At the time the war was going in Germany’s favour, and planning for post-war commercial airliner services was reasonable. The BV 144 was an all-metal, high-wing monoplane, powered by two BMW 801 MA radial engines. A unique feature of the BV 144 was the wing, which was designed to have variable incidence. An electro-mechanical device rotated the wing by its main spar, up to 9°. The BV 144 had a crew of three and was planned to be capable of carrying 18 to 23 passengers.
Prototype
After the fall of France in 1940, it was decided to build two BV 144 prototypes in France, making use of French industry. The BV 144 V1 (first prototype) made its maiden flight in August 1944. By this time, Germany was retreating from France, thus the BV 144 project and single prototype were abandoned by the Germans. The French captured the BV 144 V1 and applied French markings to it, but ultimately abandoned the project.
Operators
Specifications (BV 144 V1)
Data from [1] Hitler's Luftwaffe [2]
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Capacity: 18-23
- Length: 21.8 m (71 ft 6 in)
- Wingspan: 27 m (88 ft 7 in)
- Height: 4.75 m (15 ft 7 in)
- Wing area: 88 m2 (950 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 7,900 kg (17,417 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 13,000 kg (28,660 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × BMW 801A 14-cyl. two-row air-cooled radial piston engines, 1,147 kW (1,538 hp) each for take-off at sea level
- Propellers: 3-bladed variable pitch
Performance
- Maximum speed: 470 km/h (290 mph, 250 kn)
- Range: 1,550 km (960 mi, 840 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 9,100 m (29,900 ft)
See also
References
- ^ Green, William (2010). Aircraft of the Third Reich (1st ed.). London: Aerospace Publishing Limited. pp. 136–144. ISBN 978 1 900732 06 2.
- ^ Wood and Gunston 1977, p.136.
- Gunston, Bill. (ed.) (1980). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Propeller Airliners. London: Phoebus. ISBN 0-7112-0062-9.
{{cite book}}:|first=has generic name (help) - Smith, J. Richard; Anthony L. Kay (1978). German Aircraft of the Second World War. London: Putnam. pp. 73–75. ISBN 0-370-00024-2.
- Wood, Tony (1977). Hitler's Luftwaffe. London: Salamander. ISBN 0-86101-005-1.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)
External links
